Active Towns

Active Towns

Author: John Simmerman Language: English Episodes: 100
Hosted by John Simmerman, Active Towns digs into a simple but powerful idea: what if our daily environments made movement a natural and joyful part of life? This isn't a fitness show; it's a series of conversations exploring how our towns and cities are fundamentally shaped, and how that shaping influences our health and happiness. Each episode connects with planners, advocates, designers, and everyday citizens who are reimagining public spaces, transportation, and community programs. You’ll hear specific stories about transforming a street corner into a gathering place, the ripple effects of a new bike path, or how a local policy shift can encourage more kids to walk to school. The discussions go beyond theory, focusing on the tangible people, places, and policies making a difference right now. Tuning into this podcast offers a hopeful and practical look at the building blocks of vibrant, healthier communities, revealing how small changes in our shared surroundings can collectively foster a culture where activity is woven into the fabric of everyday life. It’s for anyone curious about the intersection of well-being, design, and civic life.
Episodes
A Look Inside the @nicthedoor Urbanism Channel w/ Nic Laporte [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:50
In this episode, I reconnect with Nic Laporte, the Vancouver, BC-based creative force behind the fast-growing @nicthedoor urbanism and active mobility YouTube channel, to learn more about his backstory and what he hopes…
Bicycling with Butterflies w/ Sara Dykman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
In this episode, I connect with Sara Dykman, author of the book Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201 Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration, for a conversation about her work studying endangered species for the fo…
Cascade Bicycle Club w/ Tina Castillo & Paul Tolme [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:09
In this week's Podcast Episode, I connect with Tina Castillo and Paul Tolmé for a wide-ranging discussion about the Cascade Bicycle Club in the State of Washington and their advocacy and educational efforts to get more p…
Live Near Friends w/ Phil Levin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:50
In this episode, I connect with Phil Levin, founder of the Live Near Friends organization and movement to talk about the benefits and logistics of finding creative ways to live closer to our beloved friends and family me…
All Bodies on Bikes w/ Marley Blonsky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:05
In this episode, I connect with Marley Blonsky, Founder of All Bodies On Bikes, for a discussion about her personal journey, the joy of riding bikes, and the movement to encourage everyone, "all ages & abilities," and bo…
Protect Our Winters w/ Graham Zimmerman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:03
In this episode, I connect with Graham Zimmerman, an elite-level alpinist, author, and the Director of Athlete Alliances for Protect Our Winters (POW), for an in-depth discussion about the organization and its campaigns…
Let Grow ~ Free-Range Kids w/ Lenore Skenazy (Season Eight Premiere) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:25
In this episode, the first of Season Eight, I connect with the "Worst Mother in America," Lenore Skenazy, author of the book Free-Range Kids: How Parents and Teachers Can Let Go and Let Grow and the co-founder of the Let…
Streets For All w/ Michael Schneider (Season Finale) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:12
In this episode, I connect with the founder of Streets For All, Michael Schneider. We discuss the recent huge win, Measure HLA, in the March 2024 Los Angeles elections and how other cities learn from the Streets For All…
Killed By A Traffic Engineer w/ Wes Marshall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:33
In this episode, I reconnect with Professor Wes Marshall for a discussion about his new book Killed By A Traffic Engineer: Shattering the Delusion that Science Underlies Our Transportation System. Note that this episode…